06/02/2017

Revit Server "Express" Central File Maintenance

For those of you using RevitServer, it is still important to maintain the central file. Keeping the central file healthy is critical to keeping the project running smoothly and to avoid causing file corruption.

I know that there never seems to be a good time for model maintenance...but there definitely isn't time for a production stop for a corrupt model issue...so although I prefer the full model maintenance, below is a bare minimum to get you up and running....however when time permits please do full maintenance.

It is also VERYimportant that all users, all models, including consultants all be on the same build of Revit to also avoid corruption issues...trust me on this one =).

Below are best practices that need to be done routinely on the central file to keep it clean. Routinely is going to depend on how active the project is. The more active the project is, the more often it should be maintained. This should be done on all models since links impact model performance as well.

Note: For Revit Server models they have a unique GUID, so saving over the file maintains that GUID.

I highly recommend that you make an archive copy prior to creating a new central file and append it with the current date or version...For a Revit Server model, creating a detached local file will do the trick.

1. Have all users synchronize and save to central, make sure all worksets are relinquished, close the local files.

2. Have one user Open the Central file. From the Open dialog box, clear the check box Create New Local, place a check in the boxes for Detach from Central and Audit (you will see a warning like below)

3. Select the Yes button from the Audit Warning dialog box and then click the Open button

4. You will see the following Detach Model from Central dialog box, select Detach and preserve worksets

5. In Revit, go to the Application Menu and click on Save as, Project and name it the same as the original Central file name and in the original location.

Note: If you select Options you will notice that Make this a Central Model after save and Compact are grayed out and pre-checked.

6. Synchronize and modify settings

Check everything that can be checked including compact. You can add a comment if you like; this shows up in History under comments.

After the save is complete, close the project

This Step is CRITICAL:

Before having users create new local files make sure they delete or archive/rename their old local files and their back up folder

For those of you notusing Revit Server, the process for Central File Maintenance can be found here.